Atlanta Flamenco Festival
Thanks to photographer Frederick Choi for capturing dramatic moments during our concerts that were part of the ATLANTA Flamenco Festival 2022.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 at Emory University PAS
SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 at Red Light Café
Sept. 9 – 21, 2022
The Atlanta Flamenco Festival will bring world-class flamenco artists to Atlanta audiences in a series of concerts and educational programs that will amplify the art form. It takes place in the metro area on September 9 – 21, 2022. The festival is the only series of its kind in the South. We are proud to take this major step in bringing a strong artistic presence and international perspectives to the region via (a través de) flamenco.
CONCERTS
Saturday, Sept. 10
3:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Performing Arts Studio, Emory University
1804 N Decatur Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
Featuring
Isaac Tovar, dance
Pepele Méndez, cante
José Manuel Alconchel, guitar
Natalia Novela, dance
$35 admission / 1 ticket
Thursday, Sept. 15
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
1055 Canton St Plum Tree Village, Roswell, GA 30075
Featuring
Pepele Méndez, cante
Beloved local flamenco artists who live and work in metro Atlanta
Reservations strongly suggested >>
Tuesday, Sept. 20
7:30 p.m.
Red Light Café
553-1 Amsterdam Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Featuring
La Macarena de Jerez, vocals and dance
Paco Fernández, guitar
APERTURE artists, dance, guitar, voice, and percussion
Details and tickets >>
All ticket sales are final. No refunds.
CLASSES
Performing artists will offer residency classes for the cuadro on Sept. 9, 11, 12, and 21, and a public performance with residency participants on Sept. 20. People who love flamenco and have experience with the art form in dance, guitar, singing, and percussion (palmas, too!) should apply to participate in the classes and performance.
Applications are open until August 31 for APERTURE, offering residency classes and performance for people who love flamenco in Georgia >>
And, please consider making a donation to A Través to help fund our work or become a sponsor of the festival. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Flamenco dancer Isaac Tovar is a rising star among flamenco artists in Spain. A former soloist for the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía, Isaac has won awards in the most important flamenco competitions in Spain, including those in the cities of Madrid, Cádiz, and Almería. In 2018, Isaac debuted his first solo production “Añejo” at the Centro Cultural de la Villa in his hometown of Seville, Spain. In 2019, his production “Generaciones” premiered at the prestigious Teatro Real in Madrid. Currently, he regularly teaches workshops throughout the United States, Europe and Canada, and performs internationally.
Flamenco singer Pepele Méndez was born in Jerez de La Frontera, Spain, and is part of the Méndez dynasty of singers from the neighborhood of La Plazuela. As a child, he learned the art of flamenco at home listening to great artists such as “El Torta” Manuel Moneo, his cousins Paca and Manuela among others. Soaking in the presence of these amazing artists and without knowing it, Pepele learned how to sing and also the art of flamenco. At the age of 16, Pepele began his first artistic steps at the Tokyo National Theater in the “Earth and Fire” show by Japanese Director Yoko Komasubara, as a palmero/percussionist and dancer. Later, he accompanied his aunt, famous flamenco singer La Paquera, on a tour in the Mont de Marsan Festival in France and the “Festival del Cante de las Minas”. Pepele branched out on his own to create new projects and has specialized in singing flamenco with a fusion influenced by Reggae, Latin, Funk, Rock and Jazz. With a very personal voice, he always looks for new aspects of traditional styles. While an incredible and traditional artist, Pepele Méndez leads us to the future with his conception of flamenco by making pure flamenco live alongside other genres.
Flamenco singer and dancer La Macarena de Jerez is one of the most well-respected artists in flamenco across Spain. She is known for singing the grand songs of the flamenco canon, as well as for being one of the few females in the role of festera – a character who uses song and dance to create humor and excitement on stage. She debuted on stage at age 10 at the famous Villamarta Theater in her hometown of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. At 15, she performed her first solo concert at la Peña Los Cernícalos in the same city, and she was on stage in the important festival named the Bienal de Sevilla when she was 18 years old. She has since performed in major theaters and festivals across Spain and around the world. In addition, she has been recorded on flamenco albums, including Concierto Flamenco de Navidad (1995), Jerez Joven por bulerías (1996), and La Mujer y el cante en compás de origen (1999).
Flamenco dancer Natalia Novela is formally trained in ballet, modern, and flamenco, and holds a degree in dance from Florida International University. Since 2004, Natalia has been a member of Siudy Flamenco Dance Theater and has performed in various theaters across the U.S.A., including in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. In 2021, She performed in the XXXIV Flamenco Festival of Albuquerque with Irene Lozano. Natalia Novela currently performs regularly at the US Tablao Cava Flamenco and is the Director of the department of dance at Downtown Doral Charter Schools in Miami, Florida.
Flamenco guitarist José Manuel Alconchel is one of the most sought-after guitarists living in the United States of America. His father, flamenco singer Pepe Alconchel, introduced José to the world of flamenco during his childhood in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. After studying the guitar for years as a child, José began accompanying singers and dancers in performances in his hometown and nearby cities at age 12. When he was 17 years-old, he received the award for best guitarist in the contest, Noches de bajo de guía in Jerez. After that, he began touring throughout Europe and later the world, performing with the biggest stars of flamenco. He won first place in the 2020 guitar competition presented by the Alhambra Guitar company. This accomplished musician is in residence in Miami, where he plays guitar in flamenco concerts three nights a week, when he is not touring with national companies.
Flamenco guitarist Paco Fernández is part of a famous and important flamenco family in Seville, Spain. He began playing guitar when he was eight years old. His career as a performing artist developed alongside his sister, brother, and parents, all of whom are accomplished artists. Paco debuted on stage at age 12, and he toured Spain performing with his family at theaters and music halls. After that, he spent nearly a decade touring Europe, the United States of America, Japan, and India. He has performed with Camarón de la Isla, Antonio Núñez ’Chocolate’, Farruco, and other legendary and iconic artists of his time. He published his first album, entitled Sastipén Talí in 2005, collaborating with Dorantes, Diego de Morao, Potito y Antonio Fernández Montoya “El Farru”, as well as his siblings.